Promethium is the 61st element on the Periodic Table. It is highly radioactive and rare.
Atomic Symbol
Pm
Atomic Number
61
Atomic Mass
149
State
Solid
Period/Group
6, Lanthanide
Protons
61
Neutrons
84
Electrons
61
Melting Point
1100 Co
Boiling Point
3000 Co
Density
7364 kg/m3
Colour
Metallic
History
Promethium was first discovered in 1945. Jacob Marinsky, Lawrence Glendenin, and Charles Coryell discovered Promethium while examining the bi-products of uranium fuel at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. They did not announce their discovery until 1947 due to being busy with World War 2. It was originally to be named Clintonium, but the name Promethium was suggested by Charles wife. The first sample of Promethium metal was created in 1963 and was used to find things such as boiling and melting points.
The ways Promethium reacts with many substances is unknown due to it's scarcity. It is assumed that Promethium would tarnish and oxidize when exposed to air, and create promethium hydroxide when exposed to water. It is known that Promethium will dissolve when submerged in acids.
Promethium is not flammable
Promethium is most commonly used in nuclear batteries for space shuttles, and sometimes is used in making the numbers on digital clocks.
Naturally, Promethium has a blueish-greenish glow.
It is extremely rare and is mostly made in laboratories.
All of Promethium's isotopes are radioactive, making it extremely dangerous to handle.
Promethium can also rarely be found in consumer grade luminescent paint.
History
Promethium was first discovered in 1945. Jacob Marinsky, Lawrence Glendenin, and Charles Coryell discovered Promethium while examining the bi-products of uranium fuel at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. They did not announce their discovery until 1947 due to being busy with World War 2. It was originally to be named Clintonium, but the name Promethium was suggested by Charles wife. The first sample of Promethium metal was created in 1963 and was used to find things such as boiling and melting points.
For more information see:History of Promethium
Reactions
The ways Promethium reacts with many substances is unknown due to it's scarcity. It is assumed that Promethium would tarnish and oxidize when exposed to air, and create promethium hydroxide when exposed to water. It is known that Promethium will dissolve when submerged in acids.
Promethium is not flammable
For more information see:Reactions of Promethium
Other
Promethium is most commonly used in nuclear batteries for space shuttles, and sometimes is used in making the numbers on digital clocks.
Naturally, Promethium has a blueish-greenish glow.
It is extremely rare and is mostly made in laboratories.
All of Promethium's isotopes are radioactive, making it extremely dangerous to handle.
Promethium can also rarely be found in consumer grade luminescent paint.
Pictures
Image courtesy of Theodore Gray